From staff report

WASHINGTON - The town of Chesterfield was one of 43 communities in the nation recently to receive a Preserve America grant for 2007, according to U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), who helped the town secure the funding.

Spratt said the $27,000 grant will be used for a town brochure and historic preservation markers, with the goal of increasing the number of visitors to the downtown area and expanding the economic base of the commercial district.

"I was pleased to help Chesterfield apply for this grant," said Spratt, "and delighted they were among the first in the nation to receive an award."

Spratt said Mayor John Douglas was in Washington today to accept the grant, which was presented by First Lady Laura Bush at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. The ceremony, held in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building, was hosted by the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, of which Spratt is a member.

Projects in a total of 25 states across the U.S. received Preserve America Grant funds today. The grants provide funds on a matching basis to assist Preserve America Communities with marketing, planning, and educational efforts associated with protection and appropriate use of community heritage assets.